Survivor. Uncovering the selection process of political elites in Europe

Since Aristotle’s days, politicians’ moral qualities (virtu) have caught much attention. Simultaneously, we know little about politicians’ virtue-related personality traits. This interdisciplinary project applies personality models from psychology, providing unparalleled insight into virtue-related traits. It unpacks the impact of these traits at several essential stages of the selection process politicians undergo: from the nascent ambition of citizens, to the progressive ambition of local politicians to the political survival of national MPs. At each step, it shows how personality traits affect political ambition and the fulfilment of this ambition. Also it uncovers the personality traits desired by voters and party selectorates.